How To Pick The Right Boat

There are two questions that should be considered when choosing the right boat: 

The first is "What will be the fishing for?" and then "where will the fishing activities be?" 

Always look for the signs of quality check the carpet and the compartments - they could be plastic, metal or fiberglass. Look at the little but very important things like the 1000 GPH bilge pump, the six gauge wiring instead of ten or eight that is because heavier wires gives more power from the battery up to the trolling motor.

There is Five Star Advantage that ranger dealers often speak to their customers: Quality, Safety, Innovation, Performance, and Value. Below is a list of "must have" things when buying your first boat.

Tow Vehicle - This is one of the most important piece of your equipment, ensured that has the rating to get the job done like loading up to 3500 lbs. of weight that could easily pull the boat up the hills and mountainous treks.

Bass Boats - For first timers, consider a second hand boat. This will be a trial and error stage where fishing skills can be tested. Consider a larger boat, which is about 19 feet with 20 to 30 miles speed for larger bodies of water.

Aluminum - In smaller lakes, a 16-18 foot aluminum boat is a good choice. It is cheaper than fiberglass and more forgiving of bangs, running up into shallows and hitting stumps and rocks. The only downside is that it rides rougher even with the slightest winds.

Fiberglass - This two-stroke engine is much more expensive which could cost from $20,000 to as much as $50,000. The good thing with this boat is that it could handle bigger, rougher water and still give you a smooth ride.

Brand new versus Second Hand - Buying a second hand boat is not only cheaper but holds their value longer and better. The downside is that you''ll probably inherit someone else''s troubles. During casual inspection, outboard engines problems are not easily identified. The best thing to do is bring someone you trust with you to inspect a prospective boat or buy from someone you know instead.

Handling the Boat - Listen to the pitch change when trimming down. Although it will be very difficult for beginners like trying to launch and retrieve the boat backing it down the ramp. Never worry, because everyone passed that stage and there''s no boat owner that is not willing to help a first timer learn. Sometimes all it takes is just 4 hours to learn the basics.

Buying a dreamboat is very exciting. It is not the boat that really matters but the experiences that come with fishing.

Coffee With Friends



The sun was cresting the hill tops this morning and my time before heading off to work is spent out on the back deck soaking in the early morning warmth with a cup of hot java from BushyBeard Coffee! Backing onto a wetland reserve there is no shortage of activity each and every morning and with the sounds of spring filling the morning air, my work day always starts with a smile! Well at least it starts that way.

This morning was a bit of a welcome surprise! This usually quite den was a bustle with activity. I have watched single marmots sun themselves atop this hill for the past two spring and summers but today was the first sign of what I assume to be a successful mating season. I had no idea of what lay hidden deep in those rocks. My wife and I have had many conversations about the biology of these quiet shy neighbours of ours. For instance, they disappeared mid summer last year leaving us bewildered as to where they went. I had many hypothesis about the disappearance none of which I care to share and all of which were dead wrong anyway. We later found out that they go back into hibernation very early in the season…who knew? Now with this new development it is all becoming more clear. I’m no expert on the Yellow Bellied Marmot but judging by the size of these young’ns, they must have been born sometime during the long winter hibernation. To my surprise, with the little time I spent, mom was no where to be seen. Needless to say I still had some real fun with the “new kids on the block!”

I shot this image with my 500 f4 and the my 5D III. Quite the sight for my neighbours I’m sure…big man in his back yard with big lens hunched over his tripod wearing only his boxer shorts at 6 in the morning:)

Update: Morning two. (today)

This morning was a little different with mom now on scene watching contently as the newbies got another taste of their new found freedom from the den. From yesterdays count I totalled five little tykes running amuck but upon review of this last image I shot this morning….six! The power of photography to reveal little details that are sometimes not so obvious at first, cool…

What a crew!

Ill keep my camera close by over the coming months and bring you some updates as to the well being of this gang. I suspect that all will not make it. We have a heavy coyote presence around this year and raptors are constantly soaring over head so we will see what happens….enjoy and leave a comment or suggestion if you so please!

P.S.
Here is some test footage I also shot…I was taken more or less to see if I could figure out how to get it from camera to web. I thought the first couple of seconds were cute when the two in the lower right fall back into the den…cheers!